Getty Image / Alika Jenner
The crop of available wide receivers in the 2024 NFL Draft is being viewed as one of the top groups at the position in recent memory. Former University of Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze is one of the most talented guys in the position group.
Though Ohio State wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. is receiving the most buzz in the class and will likely be the first one selected, Odunze is a guy who would be the first wide receiver off the board in a lot of draft classes.
After having over 1,100 yards receiving in 2022, Odunze went to a different level in 2023. As the best guy in the three-headed monster at wideout alongside Ja’lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan, he had 92 catches for 1,640 yards and three touchdowns. Those are just tremendous numbers.
Sometimes, college stat lines can be deceiving when it comes to how good a player is. That’s not the case with Odunze, at all. Just take a look at some of these highlights.
Right now, nearly every reputable mock draft has him going in the top ten, some as high as the top five. With 6-foot-3 215lb size and great fluidity, his upside is limitless. And, one thing that sets him apart is his ability to use the entire route tree proficiently as a college football player. Take a look at this chart that shows he can truly run every pattern in the playbook
Rome Odunze is the FIRST WR prospect in 4 years to have an all-green @RecepPerception chart 😳
“Routes are color-coded relative to the league average for each individual route type. The average success rate for some route types are higher than others.”
– @MattHarmon_BYB pic.twitter.com/3ifv9RukYI
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) March 25, 2024
It would be hard to see Odunze get past the seventh pick. The Chargers, Giants, and Titans pick 5th-7th, and all three of those teams desperately need an upgrade at wide receiver. No matter who lands Rome Odunze, they should be really excited on his ability to impact games this season and his long-term upside.